Cookie – a 9-week-old staffordshire bull terrier – was rescued from a vehicle by RAA Patrol Andrew Kane today after the cheeky pup accidentally locked herself inside.

“I was dispatched to a service station on Brighton Rd after a member left their keys in the ignition for just a few moments. In that time, the puppy leant on the lock on the driver’s side door,” Andrew says.

“I arrived and just saw these puppy dog eyes staring up at me. I think the owner only had the pup for about week.”

While it’s not every day our patrols are called out to rescue cute pups in pink t-shirts like Cookie, the story’s a timely reminder that leaving fur babies unattended can be just as disastrous as leaving a child in a locked vehicle.

During his 17 years as an RAA Patrol, Andrew has attended about 40 jobs where pets, children – and even adults – have found themselves locked in vehicles.

RAA’s Senior Manager of Road Safety, Charles Mountain, says it’s important to remember that vehicles can get dangerously hot inside very quickly, even on a mild day.

“People who find themselves in situations like this need to act quickly, and try to remain as calm as possible so they don’t distress the pet,” he says.

Last summer, RAA attended 46 callouts from members who accidentally locked their pet in a vehicle. Some of these jobs have been easier to fix than others.

“One of our other patrols was called out to free a dog who’d stepped on a remote locking device which had been left in the car console by the owner,” Mr Mountain says.

“When the patrol was attempting to enter the car, the dog accidentally stepped on the device again, unlocking the vehicle.”

We think it’s time to start recruiting for RAA’s Paw Patrol.

Did you know we do more than just rescue your furry friends? Here are just some of the other surprising situations where we can lend a helping hand on the road.